Not because of engine problems, but rather because of a crucial pit crew blunder, Kyle Larson’s hopes of winning the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway were dashed on April 14. NASCAR suspended two of Larson’s pit crew members for the next two races as a result of the incident, which saw him lose a wheel during a caution period.
Larson appeared to be a formidable opponent early in the race. In fact, he led for a time. But during Stage 2, things deteriorated significantly. Larson reported what seemed to be a flat tire by radio. Unfortunately, things got out of hand rather fast when his right rear wheel came off completely and skidded down the course.
In addition to ruining Larson’s prospects at Texas, this event prompted an inquiry by NASCAR officials. Many had predicted that NASCAR would penalize the No. 5 team for the loose wheel. Calvin Teague, the rear changer, and Brandon Johnson, the jackman, took the bulk of the penalty because they were actively involved in the pit stop. For the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway and the Drydene 400 at Dover Motor Speedway, the following two Cup Series races, Johnson and Teague were both suspended.
The Hendrick Motorsports team, which owns Larson’s No. 5 vehicle, was very active after hearing the news. During the next practice sessions, astute spectators noted shifts in the pit crew lineup. These modifications appeared to support earlier rumours that the team had expected to suspend Teague and Johnson. Eric Ludwig assumed the role of jacking, while Mike Moss assumed the role of rear changer. Both replacements were drawn from the Hendrick Motorsports team.
Pit personnel are essential to NASCAR, as seen by the missing wheel incident. A skillfully performed pit stop can save crucial seconds, putting a driver in the winner’s circle. In contrast, a mistake such as Larson’s loose wheel can have a significant negative impact on a driver’s position and race time.
Because NASCAR upholds stringent safety standards, losing a wheel during a pit stop is a major infraction. It may also put other competitors on the circuit in danger in addition to the driver. As a deterrent, the suspension aims to remind teams of the need to apply lug nuts securely and change tires correctly.
The loss at Texas is a tough one for Kyle Larson. He might have been challenged for the victory because he was running competitively. Another level of challenge is that Larson will have to build trust and a new rhythm with his replacement crew throughout the next races due to the important pit crew members’ two-race absence.
Rebounding will be the goal for championship-caliber squad Hendrick Motorsports. To cover for Johnson and Teague, they’ll need to make sure their backup crew members are ready. Their ability to adjust and how deep their pit crew will be put to the test in the next races at Talladega and Dover.
This incident should serve as a lesson to all NASCAR teams. Pit stop efficiency is important, but it has to be done so within the very rigorous safety parameters that NASCAR has established. The loss of a wheel serves as a sobering reminder of the possible outcomes of improper process execution.
